Hamilton: I need break to come back stronger

Lewis Hamilton feels he needs the August break in order to recharge and try to come back stronger in the drivers' championship battle with Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel's victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix was his fourth of the season and saw the German extend his advantage over Hamilton to 14 points heading into the mandatory two-week factory shutdown. With Hamilton finishing fourth in Hungary after giving a position back to teammate Valtteri Bottas at the final corner, the three-time world champion believes he needs the break in the calendar to come back fighting in the final nine races.

"I definitely think it's come at a good time," Hamilton said. "It's been very tough, physically, mentally and emotionally for everyone in the team. I can only really speak on my behalf. It's definitely been a difficult season up to now and I think this break will be very good for everyone to spend some time with family or whatever they do. Recharge and come back fresh.

"I truly believe we have the capability to win this championship but it's going to take 100 percent of everyone's effort to pull it off. I'm just going to try to come back even stronger."

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Looking ahead to the upcoming races in Belgium and Italy, the Briton admits he is slightly concerned by the qualifying pace shown by Ferrari in Budapest, where the Scuderia locked out the front row before taking a one-two in the race.

"I don't think I'll ever get back those three points, because what's happened has happened. We've given up a lot of points and I think Ferrari have given up a lot less as a team. We just hope that we don't give up anymore points moving forward.

"I don't know why we were off the pace of the Ferraris in qualifying [in Hungary]. Whether or not that will continue in the next races I have no idea. I don't know if they brought an upgrade. Time will tell. Hopefully when we go to the circuits like Spa it will be a bit more like Silverstone."